Songs in Legend of Zelda series
This compiles the songs that Link can play using various instruments throughout the Zelda series. The primary instrument used in the games has been the ocarina, although other games have used different special instruments such as the Harp of Ages, the Wind Waker, Spirit Flute and Goddess's Harp. Additionally, Twilight Princess contains the Howling Stones which Link howls certain songs from previous games into to activate. From Ocarina onwards, playing the songs requires inputting individual notes using buttons (or the touch screen in Spirit Tracks) to actually "play" the songs. Link's Awakening and Oracle of Ages use the simpler method of a song automatically playing after Link "equips" it as an item and uses it.
Ocarina
Ballad of the Wind Fish
- Appearances: Link's Awakening, Majora's Mask
This song was featured in Link's Awakening with a strong story role. It is initially performed by Marin and has the power to awaken those that are sleeping. It is also favored by the general populace. Marin teaches it to Link after he gets an ocarina so that he has something to remember her by. Its most important role is in awakening the Wind Fish at the end of the game. First, Link has to play it at the Wind Fish's Egg when he has the eight instruments of the sirens, and the song will play on those instruments at the same time. After defeating the Nightmares, Link plays it once more to actually wake the Wind Fish.
A version of the song with sung lyrics was featured in a trailer for the Switch remake of Link's Awakening.
The title also appears in Majora's Mask, where it is a song of the Indigo-Gos. Link plays it in a sound check at the Milk Bar in which he must play one part in each of the forms obtained in the game, so that the song winds up being played with the Ocarina of Time, the Deku Pipes, the Goron Drums and the Zora Guitar. The song had previously been sang by Lulu's mother and makes Gorman nostalgic enough to give Link the Circus Leader's Mask. Aside from the title, the song is different from the original Ballad.
Bolero of Fire
- Appearances: Ocarina of Time
This is one of the five warp songs which Sheik teaches to Link. Link learns it in Death Mountain Crater near the entrance to the Fire Temple, and playing it will warp him there.
Elegy of Emptiness
- Appearances: Majora's Mask
The Elegy of Emptiness is taught to Link by Igos du Ikana after Link defeats him at the Ancient Castle of Ikana, as it is essential for navigating the Stone Tower. Playing this song will allow Link to shed an eerie-looking empty shell of his current form. He can only leave behind one shell for each form, although the forms assumed when he puts on his other masks allow him to leave behind up to four forms at a time. These are mostly used to hold down switches during puzzles. However, the song's effect only works in the canyon area of Termina.
Epona's Song
- Appearances: Ocarina of Time, Majora's Mask, Twilight Princess
Epona's Song is a song which summons the horse Epona. If played for cows, they will become homesick and produce free milk for Link if he has an empty bottle. In Ocarina of Time, Malon teaches it to Link when he meets with her and Epona at the ranch. She constantly sings it herself (and it is used as background music for the ranch), and the song was composed by Malon's mother. In Majora's Mask, the song is taught to Link by Romani at her own ranch, and it was simply described as a general horse-calling song. In Twilight Princess, Link could play it automatically through grass flutes and the horse call item, and it is the only song that Link plays through an instrument in the game. It is also associated with Ilia in this game, whose theme contains part of Epona's Song. The song is also used as a leitmotif for Malon in The Minish Cap. In Breath of the Wild, the song is played by Kass on his accordion at several different stables. He describes it as an ancient song that has inspired many theories about its origin, but his mentor has told him that it was a song that the ancient hero used to call for his horse.
- Note: In the Japan, a version of this song with lyrics was released as part of a rearranged soundtrack.
Frog's Song of Soul
- Appearances: Link's Awakening
This is one of the songs from Link's Awakening which can awaken or revive the dead. Link learns it from Mamu and his Frog Choir, who are located under the Signpost Maze, but they will only perform it if payed 300 Rupees. It can be used to bring the Flying Rooster back to life, and it also must be used to awaken the Turtle Head in order to gain entrance to Turtle Rock.
Goron Lullaby
- Appearances: Majora's Mask, Twilight Princess
This is simply a lullaby that is used to put young Gorons to sleep. In Majora's Mask, Link can learn the song in Goron form from the Goron Elder while he is freezing to death in the northern mountain. However, he only remembers the first part. Goron Link then must play what he knows for the Goron Elder's son, who will remember and sing the rest of the song. Aside from the initial effect of putting that baby to sleep, the Goron Lullaby is also used to put to sleep the giant invisible Goron which barred the way to Snowhead. In Twilight Princess, the Goron Lullaby could be howled by Wolf Link into a Howling Stone located near Lake Hylia to initiate a session with the Hero's Spirit. Some notes of the song were also mixed into the background music for the Goron Mines.
Manbo's Mambo
- Appearances: Link's Awakening
This is a warp song learned in Link's Awakening. The fish Manbo and his two companions teach it to Link. It can warp Link to the beginning of the dungeon, and while in the overworld it will warp him to Manbo's Pond, which is located near Crazy Tracy's house. In the Switch remake, playing it in the overworld will allow Link to teleport to any warp point in the game, including Manbo's Pond.
Minuet of Forest
- Appearances: Ocarina of Time
This is one of the five warp songs which Sheik teaches to Link. Link learns it at the Forest Sanctuary, and playing it will teleport him back there.
New Wave Bossa Nova
- Appearances: Majora's Mask
The New Wave Bossa Nova is a type of song that is connected with the protection of the Great Bay. Lulu's mother had apparently sung it to Lulu when she was a child as a lullaby, but she forgot it as she grew older. Link learns the New Wave Bossa Nova from her children, who arrange themselves as music notes after being hatched. Playing it by Lulu will cause her to regain her voice and sing along, and she will then awaken the giant sleeping turtle who grants Link passage to the Great Bay Temple.
Nocturne of Shadow
- Appearances: Ocarina of Time
This is one of the five warp songs which Sheik teaches to Link. Link learns it from Sheik at Kakariko Village, and playing it will teleport him to entrance of the Shadow Temple above Kakariko Graveyard. Unlike the other warp songs, this one is necessary for reaching its corresponding temple.
Oath to Order
- Appearances: Majora's Mask
The Oath to Order is a song that is needed to gather the Four Giants and set the climax of Majora's Mask into motion. Link is taught the song by the first Giant that he frees from Woodfall Temple. After all four Giants are saved, Link can play the Oath to Order atop the Clock Tower on the third night to summon them, and they will prevent the moon from falling on Clock Town. It is possible to summon them if not all of the Giants have been saved, but they will be unable to stop the moon in this event.
Prelude of Light
- Appearances: Ocarina of Time, Twilight Princess
This is one of the five warp songs which Sheik teaches to Link. Sheik will teach it to Link when he returns to the Temple of Time. This song simply warps Link back to the Temple of Time. It also appears in Twilight Princess where Link can howl it into a Howling Stone found at the Sacred Grove to prompt a session with the Hero's Spirit.
Requiem of Spirit
- Appearances: Ocarina of Time, Twilight Princess
This is one of the five warp songs which Sheik teaches to Link. He learns it at the Desert Colossus, and playing it will warp him back to the area. Playing this song is necessary for Link to visit the Spirit Temple as a child. In Twilight Princess, Wolf Link could howl it into a Howling Stone near Zora's River to prompt an encounter with the Hero's Spirit.
Saria's Song
- Appearances: Ocarina of Time
Saria's Song is a song composed by Saria which is used as a symbol of friendship. Following the sound of her song is needed to navigate the Lost Woods in Ocarina. Link learns it from Saria when he visits her at the Sacred Sanctuary Meadow. Playing it will allow Link to communicate telepathically with Saria, and she will sometimes provide hints. It additionally can be played to calm the uptight Darunia into a wild dance and to earn the Skull Kid's friendship.
Saria's Song has also been used as background music in later games. In Majora's Mask, it played when Bonooru danced and was background music for the Woods of Mystery, and a few notes are slowly played at the end when Link finds the Skull Kid's friendship drawing in the Lost Woods. In Twilight Princess, it is used as background music for the Sacred Grove and is sometimes played by the Skull Kid on his flute. It is also background music for the Deku Temple in Freshly-Picked Tingle's Rosy Rupeeland. and is partially used in the Forest Haven's background music in The Wind Waker. In Hyrule Warriors, it is played during Darunia's victory animation, which involves him doing his dance from Ocarina of Time. In Cadence of Hyrule, the player must move in beat to Saria's Song as part of a music puzzle to wake up Tingle and receive instructions for clearing the Lost Woods.
Scarecrow's Song
- Appearances: Ocarina of Time, Majora's Mask
Unlike the other songs, this song is one that the player can compose. In both Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask, it is a song that Link teaches to Bonooru the scarecrow. Later on (specifically in the future for Ocarina), he can play it in certain locations to summon the other scarecrow, Pierre. Pierre usually acts as a grappling point to let Link access out-of-reach area with his Hookshot. In Majora's Mask, Link has to talk to Bonooru and establish the Scarecrow's Song again whenever he returns to the first day (and can make it as different as he wants).
Serenade of Water
- Appearances: Ocarina of Time
This is one of the five warp songs which Sheik teaches to Link. Link learns it at the Ice Cavern, and playing it will warp him to Lake Hylia near the Water Temple. This tune is later used as background music for Rutela in Twilight Princess, and Nayru's Wisdom in Skyward Sword is a reversal of it.
Sonata of Awakening
- Appearances: Majora's Mask
This song is one that is known to the Deku Royal Family. Link learns it from the monkey, whom had learned it from the Deku Princess. It usually only has effect when Link plays it through the Sonata of Awakening. It is used to awaken those who are in a deep sleep. Its most important use in the game is that it causes Woodfall Temple to rise from the swamp so that Link could enter it. It can also be used to awaken a sleeping Deku Scrub and Skull Keeta at other points in the game.
Song of Healing
- Appearances: Majora's Mask, Twilight Princess
This song is featured as an important song in Majora's Mask. The Happy Mask Salesman teaches it to Link after he retrieves the Ocarina of Time in order to heal Link, who had been cursed into a Deku Scrub form, by turning the curse into the Deku Mask. The Song of Healing is known as a soothing song which heals evil magic and troubled spirits, which is usually changed into the form of masks. Link can play them for several other characters in the game to help them and gain masks from it, most notably getting the Goron and Zora masks by healing the spirits of Darmani and Mikau, respectively. The Song of Healing is also howled into a Howling Stone at Death Mountain (the first Howling Stone to appear in the game) to initiate a session with the Hero's Spirit in Twilight Princess.
- Note: This song is actually Saria's Song played backwards.
Song of Soaring
- Appearances: Majora's Mask
This song is taught to Link by Kaepora Gaebora at the southern swamp. It acts as a warp song, and playing it will cause Link to be taken to any of the owl statues in Termina that have been activated. Link is teleportedin a flurry of feathers, implying that Kaepora or some other type of bird is carrying him.
Song of Time
- Appearances: Ocarina of Time, Majora's Mask
The Song of Time is a special melody that is connected with the Ocarina of Time, although its exact effect depends on the context. In Ocarina of Time, Princess Zelda teaches it to Link through a psychic message attached to the Ocarina of Time when Link discovers it. Its initial and most important function was opening the Door of Time in the Temple of Time once all three Spiritual Stones were present in the alter, undoing the first lock on the Sacred Realm's entrance. He could also use it to move a few special blocks which have marks matching that on the Door of Time.
In Majora's Mask, Princess Zelda taught the song to Link when he was leaving Hyrule, and Link remembers this after he regains the Ocarina of Time. It is the first song Link can play in the song, and it has a purpose which is more literal; playing it will cause Link to travel back in time to the dawn of the first day. This is essential for Link avoiding Termina's apocalypse on the third night until he is capable of preventing it. Bonooru tells Link about two variations on the Song of Time which are not recorded on the start screen. The Song of Double Time will accelerate time for Link so that day becomes night or vice-versa (the same effect as the Sun's Song), while the Inverted Song of Time has reversed notes and will slow down time.
The Song of Time is also used as background music for the Temple of Time in Ocarina of Time, Twilight Princess and Breath of the Wild.
Song of Storms
- Appearances: Ocarina of Time, Majora's Mask
The Song of Storms is a song that summons rainfall and is referred to as going "round and round" like a windmill. In Ocarina of Time, its existence forms a time paradox. Link learns it in the future from Guru-Guru, whom had been angered when a child played it on an ocarina and sent his windmill out of order. He recognizes Link as the child. Afterwards, Link went back in time and played it at the windmill. The rain caused the windmill to over perform, which angered Guru-Guru, while the well dried so that Link could explore it. As time travel causes Link and Guru-Guru to both learn the song from each other, the song has no real origin. In Majora's Mask, Flat composed the Song of Storms as a way to cleanse his brother Sharp's black soul, describing the song as the embodiment of his sorrow and anger. Link learns the song from Flat in his grave and can than play it to save Sharp.
The Song of Storms is also used as background music for Guru-Guru in Ocarina, Majora's Mask and Oracle of Seasons, and in most of these instances he seems to actually be playing it on his organ grinder. In Cadence of Hyrule, it has to be played on a music puzzle to wake up the characters running the windmill.
Sun's Song
- Appearances: Ocarina of Time
This song was the result of the composer brothers' study of controlling time using the tones of ocarinas; one of them had been studying a way to summon the sun while the other studied a way to study the moon. The Sun's Song was inscribed on the royal tombstone underneath Kakariko Graveyard, where Link could learn it. Playing the song could move time forward to change between day and night. The song could also paralyze undead creatures such as the ReDead and Gibdos. In later games, this tune has also been used as part of the background music to signify the coming of morning.
Zelda's Lullaby
- Appearances: Ocarina of Time
This song is described as "an ancient melody passed down by the Royal Family" and is taught only to members of the Royal Family. Impa played it to Zelda as a lullaby since she was a child, which is why it is referred to as Zelda's Lullaby. Impa also taught the song to Link when he visited Hyrule Castle, and it is the first ocarina song learned in the game. This song contains mysterious power which usually comes into effect when played near the symbol of the Royal Family (the Triforce symbol), and Link can also play it to others to prove his connection to the Royal Family. After Zelda reclaims the Ocarina of Time at the end of the game, this is the song which Princess Zelda plays to send Link back in time. In Twilight Princess, it is a song that Wolf Link howls into a Howling Stone at the entrance to the Sacred Grove in order to enter. That specific Howling Stone bore the Triforce symbol as opposed to the Sheikah eye symbol, likely as a callback to Ocarina.
This tune is present in later games as background music and is usually used as Zelda's leitmotif. A reversed version of Zelda's Lullaby was used for the Ballad of the Goddess in Skyward Sword.
Harp of Ages
Tune of Ages
- Appearances: Oracle of Ages
The Tune of Ages is the final song which Link learns from Nayru once he rescues her. This song allows Link to travel freely between the past and the present, eliminating the need for the other two tunes.
The symbol used for this tune was used in later games as a symbol for Nayru and the Zora race in general. It was found on Nayru's Pearl in The Wind Waker, and in Twilight Princess it was shown as an emblem for the Zoras.
Tune of Currents
- Appearances: Oracle of Ages
This song is taught to Link by Tokkey, a time travel researcher, after Link plays the Tune of Echoes for him. It is the second song learned in the game and will allow Link to instantly travel to the present from the past, although he will be automatically sent back if he lands in a place he cannot stand upon. Once he arrives at the present through this tune, a temporary time portal to the past will be left behind until Link uses it or a different time portal.
The symbol used for this tune has also appeared in The Wind Waker as the symbol for Din's Pearl.
Tune of Echoes
- Appearances: Oracle of Ages
The Tune of Echoes is the first tune which Link learns in Oracle of Ages. An apparition of Nayru teaches it to him after he finds the Harp in her house. It is used to unlock Time Portals to allow time travel between the past and the present.
The symbol used for the Tune of Echoes was used in later games to represent Farore and courage. It is found on Farore's Pearl in The Wind Waker and the Ancient Sky Book in Twilight Princess.
Wind Waker
Ballad of Gales
- Appearances: The Wind Waker, Twilight Princess
This is Cyclos's song, which was originally printed on a monument at Dragon Roost Island matching Zephos's until Cyclos destroyed it out of anger. It is eventually taught to Link by Cyclos after Link defeats him with an arrow. Playing it will allow Link to warp to one of nine certain islands of the Great Sea using a cyclone from Cyclos. This is the only way to enter the Mother Island, where the Fire and Ice Arrows could be obtained from the Fairy Queen. In "Twilight Princess", it is a tune that can be howled into a Howling Stone at Snowpeak Trail to initiate a session with the Hero's Spirit.
Command Melody
- Appearances: The Wind Waker
The Command Melody is printed into a monument in the Tower of the Gods. Playing it will allow Link to temporarily control certain statues, and later in the game he can use it to control Makar and Medli while in their respective temples.
Earth God's Lyric
- Appearances: The Wind Waker
This song is used to represent the Earth Sage. The ghost of the former Earth Sage, Laruto, teaches it to Link so that he can use it to find her successor. Playing it by Medli will awaken her as the new Earth Sage. The Earth God's Lyric must be played at several points in the Earth Temple to progress and ultimately is used to help power up the Master Sword.
Song of Passing
- Appearances: The Wind Waker
This song is taught to Link by Tott in the graveyard on Windfall Island if Link shows him the Wind Waker. The Song of Passing is an optional song which can change the time from day to night (and vice-versa) as a new counterpart to the Sun's Song.
Wind God's Aria
- Appearances: The Wind Waker
This song is used to represent the Wind Sage. The ghost of the former Wind Sage, Fado, teaches it to Link os that he can use it to find his successor. Playing it in front of Makar will awaken him as the new WInd Sage. The Wind God's Aria must be played at several points in the Wind Temple to progress and ultimately is used to help power up the Master Sword. This tune also notably makes up part of The Wind Waker's main theme.
Wind's Requiem
- Appearances: The Wind Waker
This is the first song which Link learns to perform with the Wind Waker. The song's notes are inscribes onto Zephos's monument at Dragon Roost Island. Zephos appears to explain it to him afterwards. It is used to change the direction of the wind in the overworld, which is essential for sailing across the Great Sea. There are also a few areas in which Link can use the requiem to make treasure chests appear.
Spirit Flute
Song of Awakening
- Appearances: Spirit Tracks
Link learns to play this from a Sound Stone at the Forest Sanctuary. As its name suggests, it can awaken those who are asleep, and it also awakens Gossip Stones so that they can speak to Link.
Song of Birds
- Appearances: Spirit Tracks
This song is learned by Link at Papupchia Village from a hidden Sound Stone that must be uncovered using the Song of Discovery. Playing it will attract the birds carrying Carben, which will release him. He then explains the song, which basically attracts nearby birds. In most contexts, it brings a bird carrying a while which Link can hitch a ride with by using the Snake Whip. In other areas, it could attract nearby Cuccos.
Song of Discovery
- Appearances: Spirit Tracks
Link can learn this song from a Sound Stone fuond at Anouki Village. It can reveal hidden objects (usually some type of item or treasure chest) that are hidden in the ground when played. The Song of Discovery basically acts as this game's counterpart to a digging mechanic.
Song of Healing
- Appearances: Spirit Tracks
This is the first song which Link can learn, from the Sound Stone by the entrance to the Forest Temple. It can be used in a dungeon to summon a fairy known as the Spirit of Healing that will recover Link's health. However, it can only be used once per dungeon.
Song of Light
- Appearances: Spirit Tracks
The Song of Light is learned from a Sound Stone that is found near Linebeck's grave at the Trading Post. The song is usually used to ignite crystal switches, which makes them fire out rays of light. This can be used to solve puzzles and reveal invisible treasure chests.
Goddess's Harp
Ballad of the Goddess
- Appearances: Skyward Sword
The Ballad of the Goddess is a melody that was passed down by the people of the Skyloft since ancient times. This song has an accompanying set of lyrics which foreshadow the journey of the hero and hint at the secret to unlocking the path to the Isle of Songs. It was traditionally sung at the Wing Ceremony, and Zelda filled this role in Skyward Sword. Once Link received the Goddess's Harp, it was the first song he learned from the elderly Impa, and he then had to learn about the secrets in its lyrics (and the second verse regarding the Isle of Songs that he had not heard) from Gaepora. Once the conditions were right, the path into the Thunderhead which held that isle was unlocked by playing the Ballad.
The Ballad of the Goddess is actually a reversal of Zelda's Lullaby. This seems to be an early hint at Zelda's connection to the goddess Hylia.
Din's Power
- Appearances: Skyward Sword
Din's Power is the last of three songs associated with the quest for the sacred flames. It is taught to Link at the Isle of Songs when he returns their after finding the second sacred flame. Din's Power could be played in an area of Eldin Volcano to open the Trial Gate leading to Din's Silent Realm, where Link underwent the trial of power to earn the sacred treasure that would help him reach Din's Flame.
Farore's Courage
- Appearances: Skyward Sword
Farore's Courage is the first of the three songs that Link learns for his quest for the sacred flames. It is taught to Link upon his first visit to the Isle of Songs. This could be played at a certain area of the Faron Woods to open the Trial Gate leading to Farore's Sacred Realm, where Link underwent the trial of courage to earn the sacred treasure that would help him reach Farore's Flame.
Nayru's Wisdom
- Appearances: Skyward Sword
Nayru's Wisdom is second of the three songs that Link learns in his quest for the sacred flames. He learns it at the Isle of Songs when he returns there after getting the first sacred flame. The song could be played at a certain area of the Lanayru Desert bearing Nayru's mark in order to open a Trial Gate that leads to Nayru's Sacred Realm, where Link undergoes the trial of wisdom to earn the sacred treasure that would help him reach Nayru's Flame.
This song is a reversal of the Serenade of Water.
Song of the Hero
- Appearances: Skyward Sword
The Song of the Hero is a special song that Hylia made to guide the hero to the Triforce. The song is split into four pieces which were each taught to Levias and the three dragons protecting the individual provinces. The last leg of Link's quest consists of meeting the three dragons to learn their parts of the song. There were some complications, as Faron had Link pass a test in which the individual notes were split into creatures called Tadtones that Link had to collect, and Lanayru had to be saved from an illness in the past. Only after Link learned the three segments from the dragons did Levias teach his part, which completed the song.
This song was played in a duet between Link on the harp and Fi singing at Skyloft in order to open the final Trial Gate leading to the Goddess's Silent Realm. This held the the last trial, where Link earned a stone that opened the path to the Sky Keep, which held the Triforce. This song is actually a version of the main theme used for the The Legend of Zelda series.